CHAPTER 23
Beth made her way to the bathroom, shaking her head in disbelief. “I mean, I knew doctors made good money, but this is next level.
Buttons, dials, rain settings, voice activation—remotes, in a bathroom?” she muttered, eyeing the high-tech shower with both awe and frustration.
She reached for the shower knobs only to realize there were none. Considering the luxurious soaking tub as an alternative, she quickly discovered it had the same problem—too much technology.
After three failed attempts, each resulting in an icy blast straight to the face, she finally cracked the code. Warm water cascaded over her, and she stood victorious.
“If I can conquer that shower, I can do anything,” she beamed with a satisfied grin.
Feeling accomplished, she made her way to the closet to get dressed.
Letting out a low whistle, she took in the massive walk-in closet—bigger than her entire bedroom back at her apartment.
As she wandered through the space, she lightly ran her fingers along the sleeves of Bryce’s jackets.
He had cleared out half the closet for her, but her wardrobe barely filled half the space.
She turned toward his side, noting the perfectly arranged shirts and neatly lined-up shoes. A chuckle escaped her. “I married a neat freak,” she mused, shaking her head fondly.
Grabbing a comfortable outfit, she got dressed, slipping into a pair of joggers and an old t-shirt.
With a final glance at the pristine closet, she padded downstairs barefoot, curious to see if Bryce had returned from his errand.
Beth descended the stairs, stretching slightly as she moved, her feet cool against the wood. Bryce stepped off the elevator at the same time, his lips curving into a tender smile as he took her in—cozy, relaxed, like she belonged here.
His gaze flickered down at her feet, and without a word, he turned toward the smart panel on the wall.
Beth frowned. “What’s that?”
“The control panel for the smart home features,” he said, tapping the screen. “I didn’t want your feet to get cold, so I turned on the heated floors.”
Beth’s mouth fell open slightly. “You have heated floors?”
Bryce smirked. “We have heated floors. Both levels and on the deck. It also controls the alarm, lights, temperature—pretty much everything.”
“That would’ve been nice to know before I took a shower. Your bathroom is ridiculously over the top… kinda like you.”
“No comment,” Bryce said with a grin. “But should you ever need help in or with the shower… I’m your man.”
Beth flushed and looked quickly toward the kitchen. Bryce chuckled.
“Hungry? I can get dinner started.”
“You know how to cook?” she asked, surprised.
“Do you know how to cook?”
Beth shot him an indignant look as he moved to the kitchen. “Excuse you, I do not survive on pizza alone.”
Bryce chuckled, cracking eggs one-handed into a bowl and whisking them with effortless precision.
Beth settled onto one of the barstools, watching as he moved around the kitchen. It was strange, this quiet domesticity between them. She was so nervous about being here, in this space alone with him, but this… this felt comfortable.
“You have the place set up nicer than I expected,” she admitted.
“I hired an interior decorator,” he said, grabbing a pan. “Your place was cozier. I hope you’ll change and add things—make it yours. Maybe we could hang some of your pictures.”
Beth grinned. “Nah, I think I’ll just sneak pictures in for you to find.”
Bryce chuckled, glancing over at her. “How many did you find?”
Beth narrowed her eyes. “Fifteen,” she declared dramatically, spinning on her stool to glance at the living room.
He laughed, flipping the omelet effortlessly.
“How?! How did you sneak in so many in a week?!”
“I’ll never tell.”
Beth shook her head, amused, before her gaze drifted to the exposed brick walls. “Is it even possible to hang stuff on that?”
“It’d be easier to do a big multi-frame instead of a dozen little ones, but we can make anything work.”
“Curtains would be nice,” she mused. “Especially in the bedroom. I don’t like the idea of people watching me sleep.”
Bryce smirked, plating her omelet. “The windows are treated—you can see out, but no one can see in.” His eyes gleamed with mischief as he added, “So I’ll be the only one watching you sleep.”
Beth gave him a flat look.
He laughed. “What? In a completely romantic, non-creepy sort of way.” He set the plate in front of her. “Bon appétit.”
Sliding onto the stool beside her, Bryce took her hand, bowing his head for a quick prayer.
When Beth opened her eyes, a small square jewelry box sat beside her plate.
She blinked in surprise, her heart stuttering as she turned to Bryce. “What’s this?”
“Open it.”
She carefully lifted the lid and nestled against the satin was a wedding band—simple, beautiful.
White gold, just like her engagement ring, but with a channel of alternating diamonds and sapphires running smoothly around the band.
It was practical, the stones set flush so they wouldn’t catch on gloves at work.
Her throat tightened.
“Bryce, it’s beautiful.” She looked up at him, eyes wide. “You didn’t need to get me another ring. I love the one you gave me.”
“I know.” He reached out, gently running a finger along the edge of her engagement ring.
“I also know sapphires aren’t either of our birthstones, but they remind me of your eyes.
” His voice dropped slightly, more serious.
“As for not needing to get it…I already told you, I’m a little territorial.
” His lips quirked. “You’re not working without a ring. ”
Beth swallowed hard, warmth spreading through her chest. She took off her engagement ring just long enough to slide the wedding band on first, smiling at how perfectly they fit together. Then she leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, and I’m going to ignore the caveman-like comment.”
Bryce chuckled, but his gaze remained on her hand, a quiet satisfaction there.
Her smile faltered slightly. “Wait… when’s your birthday?”
“April 27.”
Her jaw dropped. “No way. We’re birthday month buddies! Mine is the—”
“Eleventh,” Bryce finished.
Beth’s mouth parted. “You know that?”
“The anonymous flowers at the nurses’ station last month…”
Beth gasped, eyes going wide. “That was you?!”
He just winked.
Bryce reached for his phone. “I want to get our calendars linked so you have my schedule. What’s your schedule like?” Bryce asked, knowing the new rotation would be out Monday. He’d pulled some strings—they wouldn’t always be on the same shifts, but they’d be working together more than before.
“Right now, I work Tuesday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Sundays I teach Sunday school at nine, Bible study Monday mornings at eight. Other than that, I run whenever I can. Which will be easier to fit in now that I live here.”
“Have you done the Jack Quinn’s 5K on Tuesday nights?” He asked as he updated his calendar app and sent her an invite.
Beth’s eyes lit up. “I love that run.”
“I’m signed up for next week. Want to join me?”
“Absolutely.”
Beth hesitated, then smiled. “Can I ask a personal question?”
Bryce took the bait, turning serious. “Of course, Lizzy. You can ask me anything.”
She leaned forward, mock serious. “Have you always been a neat freak?”
His shocked expression made her giggle.
“What? I’m not a neat freak,” he protested.
“Right. So, the loft isn’t organized with a place for everything and everything in its place? Even your storage unit had built-in shelves and labeled boxes.”
“I just like being able to find things easily.” He paused. “Your apartment was always tidy too. Does that make you a neat freak?”
Beth shrugged. “Kim liked it that way.”
“So, you don’t like things clean?”
“Clean, yes. But I can be messy. Is that going to bother you?”
Bryce studied her for a moment.
“Is it going to bother you if I pick up after you?” he asked, reaching for her hand and lacing their fingers together. When her only reply was a shrug, he added, “Living together takes adjusting. Sharing a room even more. But we’ll figure it out.”
Beth didn’t realize his words about sharing a room made the color drain from her face, but Bryce saw it.
The words ‘sharing a room’ rattled in her brain, sending a rush of panic through her system. The fragile comfort she had felt earlier—when it was just the two of them, making dinner, teasing each other—vanished in an instant.
Her fears, the ones she had shoved down and ignored since waking up in Vegas, clawed their way to the surface, threatening to consume her.
She needed space. Now.
Her eyes darted around the open floor plan she had just admired. Now it felt too exposed, offering nowhere to hide except for the bedroom or home gym. Neither felt like a good option.
Then, her brain latched onto a third escape.
“My reading cove!” she blurted.
Bryce raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
Beth flushed under his amused gaze. “Um—my reading cove is just... so great. Amazing, really. And I want to go there. Now. To, uh, read.” She nodded, eyes a little too wide. “It’s like a hideout. For reading. So cool. Thank you, again… for making it. I’m going to go now. And use it. Alone.”
Bryce’s lips twitched.
Beth gave her head a quick shake. “Okay, bye.” Then, she bolted.
Bryce burst out laughing as he watched her flee.
Shaking his head, he stood and made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen. Almost three whole days without her nervous rambling hijacking her vocal cords, and now? It was back with a vengeance.
He never would have expected this side of her.
After working with her in the ER for three years, he’d seen her walk into chaotic trauma situations without hesitation.
He’d watched her handle violent, drugged-up patients with calm, steady hands while security had to be called.
She had never run. Just steady, serene determination to get the job done.
But this?
This side of Beth that literally ran from him every time things between them got too real?
An excited grin spread across his face.
This was going to be fun.
She was worth the chase.
He’d bet good money that this particular escape had everything to do with the idea of sharing a room. Instead of talking to him about it, she ran.
That was fine. Trust took time.
But if there was one thing he’d learned about his wife in these almost two weeks, it was that the best way to stop her from overthinking something was to do something outrageous enough to snap her out of it.
Bryce made his way upstairs to do just that.